Flashback: 2009 Ducati Streetfighter Review

The original Ducati Streetfighter, which was launched in 2009, was voted the most beautiful bike when it was unveiled at EICMA in 2008.

‘Beautiful’ is probably a little misleading, because underneath the Ducati Streetfighter’s attractive ‘naked bike’ looks, was a vicious, fire-breathing, 1099cc liquid-cooled L-twin superbike engine.

With figures of 155hp and 115Nm, both at 9500rpm, the Streetfighter was the Italian firm’s most powerful naked bike to date.

A new naked king

At the time, the Ducati Monster sat atop of the marque’s naked bike food-chain, but the arrival of the Streetfighter saw a swift changing of the guard. The Streetfighter put itself on the throne with maniacal performance and state-of-the-art technology, albeit with a much higher price tag. It didn’t spell the end of the Monster, rather a reshuffling of the target markets. The Streetfighter was aimed at cashed-up speed demons, while the Monster offered a slightly more modest and simplistic option.

Despite the unprecedented performance for a naked bike, the power figures actually fell short of the original 1099cc engine found in the Ducati 1098 and 1098 S, the firms production superbike offerings at the time. Alas, it’s not unusual for manufacturers to ‘retune’ engines in their naked bike guise.

The Streetfighter was available in two variants, the standard Streetfighter and the up-spec Streetfighter S. Power figures were identical, but the S added higher-spec Ohlins suspension, five-spoke Marchensini wheels, a carbon-fibre front fender and cam-belt covers. The S model also added a bunch of tech including competition-level eight-mode traction control, and the Ducati Data Acquisition system.

Pricing for the standard Streetfighter started at $24,990, while the S version raised the tally to $30,990.

2009 Ducati Streetfighter launch report

The bike was given an Australian media launch in 2009, which was attended by former bikesales editor, Mark ‘Mav’ Fattore.

Here is what Mav had to say after riding the new machine:

“The Streetfighter media launch was split in two: a half-day road ride into the Blue Mountains, followed by an afternoon at Eastern Creek, in the company of Troy Bayliss no less.

“Bayliss is a roving ambassador for Ducati these days, and it was only fitting that the man who has gotten the most out of the L-twin engine – a world superbike title in 2008 – was on location to see how the donk performs in naked guise.

“To be honest, I didn’t feel that comfortable on the road ride at first, which was confirmed when I was all over the shop as we traversed a set of twisties during a photographic session.

“The gearing felt all wrong and the suspension a bit stodgy. It just felt like we were strange bedfellows.

“However, a mere five hours later I was inseparable from the machine, so much so that I completely missed a black flag at Eastern Creek to return to the pits when the zipper on my leathers – already on the way out – decided to end its feeble existence once and for all.

“A few minutes later, and with a borrowed pair of leathers, I was back out on the circuit, piling on the laps until the airport shuttle couldn’t wait any longer.

“What an intoxicating ride. It’s pure muscle, but with all the technological smarts from the Ducati superbike. Naked bikes have always been generous souls in letting riders explore their limits – well at least it feels like that – but the Streetfighter takes that level of authority to the a new height with features such as traction control (for the S anyway).

“The engine and gearbox, as you’d expect, are stellar performers. The bike really starts to hum at about 5000rpm, and then hits the rev limiter at about 10,500rpm.

“In between, the short-stroke engine is a powerhouse, although I certainly didn’t lose too much ground when I short-shifted between turns two and three and let the revs drop well below 5000.

“The engine is simply all class, and remains composed on the overrun and when pushing hard through the gearbox. And there's no top-end terror that most people can't do a thing with, like some of its 4-cylinder rivals.

“At my level of riding, I struggled to pick the difference between the Streetfighter and Streetfighter S, so my personal choice would be the standard model. I did find myself gravitating more towards the S at the end of the day, but that was more a function of ‘play time’ with the traction control rather than anything else.

“I’ve already touched on the strong brakes, but the Streetfighter also maintains a vice-like grip on the tarmac, with changes of direction a cinch and stability underpinning the whole operation.

“And I’m not telling porkies about change of direction, as I must have traversed every possible line of Eastern Creek in my pursuit of excellence. And I can also vouch for the Streetfighter’s dirt track prowess after one particular sphincter-puckering moment.

“If the Streetfighter is Ducati’s take on bringing together the ‘bare essentials’, it’s done a stellar job. This is the Ducati lifestyle that appeals most to me, and I’m sure it will for many others.”

Drawing board

Despite receiving rave reviews, the Streetfighter didn’t sell as well as the Bologna-based company would have liked. Ducati went back to the drawing board.

Rideability and price were the two main issues with the original Streetfighter, so in 2011, Ducati unveiled the Streetfighter 848, a friendlier and more affordable machine.

Kevin Ash wrote this about the original Streetfighter in his 848 launch report: “The 1098 Streetfighter cost as much or more than some full-on superbikes, yet at best it could offer a little less performance with no bodywork. It’s also a hardcore machine, with an aggressive throttle response and committed ergonomics that are biased a little too strongly towards sport rather than comfort.”

The new Streetfighter 848 indeed lowered the price (it went on sale in Australia at $18,990) and offered a ride more manageable for mere mortals than the 1098cc version it replaced. Martin Child wrote in 2013, “the overriding feeling of the Streetfighter 848 is that it’s keener on making you happy than trying to wrestle you into submission. It might not offer the killer blow of larger streetfighter-style machines, but it does more than enough to be mentioned on the main billing.”

Despite correcting the issues of the original Streetfighter, the 848 still didn’t sell well, and by 2016, it was gone. The Streetfighter name was resigned to history…until 2020 at least.

A new era

In June 2019, Ducati unveiled plans to resurrect the Streetfighter moniker with a new machine based on the super-impressive Panigale V4. The Ducati Streetfighter V4 is powered by the 1103cc Stradale engine found in the Panigale V4 range, and unlike previous naked bikes, Ducati claim the performance will be equal to, if not better than the full-fairing Panigale.

The new Streetfighter V4 boasts 205hp and 123Nm of torque, with the chassis, TFT dash and electronics all coming straight from the Panigale.

If you're interested in buying an original Ducati Streetfighter, or you're just curious, click here for current listings on bikesales.com.au.

Specs: 2009 Ducati Streetfighter

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, eight-valve, four-stroke, L-twin
Bore x stroke: 104.0 x 64.7mm
Displacement: 1099cc
Compression ratio: 12.5:1
Fuel system: Marelli electronic fuel injection, elliptical throttle bodies
Emissions: Euro 3

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed, constant mesh
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Dry

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Tubular steel trellis
Front suspension: Showa USD fork, fully adjustable, 127mm travel (Ohlins USD fork with TiN, fully adjustable, 120mm travel)
Rear suspension: Showa monoshock, fully adjustable, 127mm travel (Ohlins monoshock, fully adjustable, 127mm travel)
Front brakes: Twin 330mm discs with four-piston, radial-mount, Brembo monobloc calipers
Rear brake: Single 245mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Wheels: 10-spoke in cast light alloy (5-spoke in forged light alloy)
Tyres: Pirelli Diablo Corsa III – 120/70-17, 190/55-17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed dry weight: 169kg (167kg)
Seat height: 840mm
Fuel capacity: 16.5lt
Wheelbase: 1475mm
Rake: 25.6 degrees

PERFORMANCE
Claimed max power: 155hp at 9500rpm
Claimed max torque: 115Nm at 9500rpm

OTHER STUFF
Price: $24,990* ($30,990*)
Testbike supplied by: NF Importers
Warranty: 24 months/unlimited km